Robert Griffin
PLAINS — On March 29, this year, Leigh Anne Williams set out from Amicalola Falls in North Georgia with a friend and started her hike on the Appalachian Trail. On October 25th, fresh off completing the trail, Williams was greeted back home in Plains with a reception honoring her achievement.
“It’s a little weird to be off the trail, Williams said. “I am a little restless, but getting to see friends and family has been great.” Williams went on to say, “I feel restless mainly because we were getting up every day and hiking, so now when I wake up in the morning I don’t know what to do.”
Williams was greeted in her hometown of Plains with a community party which allowed her to reconnect with family and friends who had sent Williams care packages and encouraging messages along her trek. “It was very fitting that we had hotdogs at the party,” said WIlliams, “because that was the one thing I would always get when we went to eat off of the trail.”
When asked if she could take one lesson away from her journey along the Appalachian Trail, Williams quoted an old trail saying, “It’s not about the miles, it’s about the smiles.” She went on to say, “Walking the trail and getting to encounter all of the people, it really restored my faith in humanity and the basic good that everyone possesses. The Appalachian Trail is such a physical and mental test on a person, but the best thing about it was the social part and meeting all the great people.
Williams will start a new chapter in her life soon, when she returns to Alaska to retrieve her truck, and a few more personal belongings and driving across the country to move to South Carolina, starting what she calls a “new adventure.”
Though their were tough times on the trail, Williams knew that she always had the support of the people in Sumter County, and it was their encouragement that helped her finish the trail. “So many people in Sumter County supported me in so many ways. From the many cards, emails, and packages that I received, to the reception when I came home. The people of Sumter County have been so supportive. My Mom and dad we’re also my main backers during this trip, and were very supportive.”
Williams said that she is definitely looking to do another long distance trail in the future, and is looking at some overseas. “The next one I want to do is in Spain, and sometime in the future I would like to do the Pacific Crest Trail out west”
